[Varaxis]

I'm not so addicted to shopping-delivered dopamine that I have to go to aliexpress to get it. I don't like that lottery. the lottery with name brand products is a very different thing.

I'll buy cheap things for some product categories. but it's usually not for things I want to wait around for delivery via the slow boat. so I'll buy on amazon or ebay from sellers who ship from the US. And I've learned my lesson not to buy bike stuff this way. Nor will I buy apparel this way.

I'm guilty of that. I have a package coming in today from 'em:

Got more in my cart from this Nov 11 sale...

Tested this bell, and was like, it isn't very loud, but then it dawned on me that I had my earbuds in, and it sounded as loud as other bells I've used like the Spurcycle and Knog Oi (31.8) with buds in. I was impressed after getting to hear it fully, with buds out. Good buy!

 

[Harold]

I have both the Knog Oi and the Spurcycle bell. the Knog bell plainly sucks. Put it in the parts bin in pretty short order. But I love the Spurcycle bell. I get a bit of a visceral reaction to clanky sounding bells, and the Spurcycle just sounds nice to me.

 

[jsma09]

Eventually you learn the hardway why ParkTool (it was mentioned above) is expensive. Pony up, buy once cry once.

I bought this wheel truing stand only to find out it’s crooked. Faces aren’t machined straight, holes don’t line up, etc. Do with your money what you please. Aliexpress is a junk store, some parts you can tolerate them being junk, others just don’t. At the very least, make sure the seller has some sort of buyer protection and you can have free returns if products aren’t okay.

I returned this piece of crap and I haven’t felt the urge to burn cash on Ali anymore.

On the other hand I’ve splurged on some Knipex tools (home improvements) and couldn’t be more pleased.

The cheap parts that are quality parts on Ali are so few and far between, it’s just not worth the gamble and time to pack it for return IMO.

 

[HollyBoni]

Eventually you learn the hardway why ParkTool (it was mentioned above) is expensive. Pony up, buy once cry once.

I usually buy more simple tools from Ali that I will only need occasionally. I haven't been burned yet. For example I bought my first frame with a T47 BB and needed a tool. Bought one from Ali and it works perfectly. The name brand options might be better quality, but they were also 4-5x the price, and i'll use this tool like once a year at best.

I think the Ali tool cost less than if I would have gone to a bike shop to have the BB installed/changed just once, and I don't have to deal with annoying bike mechanics. Win-win!